Tuesday, October 14, 2008

How To Take Care Of Your Sunshine Chicks

During last week's Agrilink 2008, I was able to sit down a while with Louis Perrault of SASSO and assessed the new improved lines' acceptability.

Several factors make us smile:

1) The market loves the new colors: We are using a pure heavy farmbreed. Our Sunshines are now in dark brown-red with stripes, brown, greyish and black. Our favorite is the dark brown-red with stripes. This favorite grows to have black feathers with brown-red burgandy tips. The eyes....they have burgandy eye liners....yes, like Cleopatra!

2) Slow developing chicken: That is what the market likes. No rush, no pressures....and leads to a....

3) Great tasting grass fed chickens: Well SASSO isn't the industry leader for nothing.


HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEWLY HATCHED SUNSHINES?

The following is our new guide for Philippine conditions, based from the average growths from raisers. Some growers have done better than this table.

Poultry raised on open grass are high in beneficial fats and other factors that lower cholesterol and greatly reduce degenerative disease in the consumer! Eating large proportions of living green plants, while foraging for insects and seeds and myriad other natural commodities that science hasn't identified yet, and with minimal need for medication, grass-fed animals create more vibrant health than other poultry. Moreover, the meat and eggs are incredibly tasty compared to general market chicken.

1. Better Food. Substantial increases in nutritional value of pasture poultry, particularly in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin A, and a significant decrease in total fat.

2. More Satisfying Flavor. Poultry raised on pasture, in fresh air and sunshine, taste superior to confinement raised poultry. Naturally raised poultry has a firmer texture and more satisfying "gamey taste".

3. Lower cost entry. Small-scale and limited resource farmers can start a profitable farm enterprise for a fraction of the cost of conventional, integrator-controlled poultry housing.


4. Fertility and Pasture management. Moving poultry across the pasture is a way to spread manure and fertility without using excessive equipment or labor.

5. Multi-Cropping. Poultry can be used to scavenge crop residue, and hog down weeds and grasses in multi-crop fields being used for horticulture and floriculture.

Getting started with your Sunshine Chicks (first 21days)

ALWAYS KEEP SURROUNDINGS AND PENS DISINFECTED AND CLEAN

Housing of Birds: Secure from predators, i.e., rats, cats, and dogs. Fencing wire may be buried below the surface to prevent any of predators from getting to the birds. You need light, heat, and water. As for temperature, birds (four weeks of age or older) are best suited for 70oF. Important to have shaded areas. Location should be well drained. Lay rice hull or wood shavings for absorbent flooring. Good choice for bedding materials during the wet season is sand, because it allows for excellent drainage.

Brooding the Birds: By practice, use one (1) watt per bird for heating bulbs. It is better to use several bulbs in smaller wattages (ten 10w bulbs, four 25w bulbs), rather than using a 100watt bulb when you brood 100 chicks. Temperature should be 70 to 75oF with the temperature at chicks’ level to be 95oF during the first week. The area assigned to these chicks should have some flexibility such that they can move through a range of temperatures (95 to 75oF). Monitor the birds for signs of stress; for instance, if the chicks are scattered around the area and chirping loudly, chances are they are hot; conversely, if you notice the chicks all huddled together in one area, they are likely cold . They should be comfortably scattered, moving around. That is your basis that temperature is right. The temperatures given are just guides. USE YOUR EYES to monitor them. At the end of Week 1, begin dropping the temperature by 5oF per week until you reach 70oF, and then try to maintain that temperature.

Water and Feed: The most neglected and overlooked nutrient is water. What appears to be a bowl of “clean water;” may contain millions of bacteria. The bacteria will stress the digestive system of the bird, such that it will not grow at the rate believed to be their potential. The waterers and feeders should be cleaned routinely daily. Leave under the sun to disinfect. Best to have two or three sets of equipments so you can disinfect/clean properly. Fresh water needs to be supplied everyday to insure healthy birds. During the periods of extreme heat, there is an increased risk of microbial growth.

We suggest using probiotics/vitamins in their drinking water, and adlibitum feeding of chick booster for the 1st 21days, prior to ranging. Make sure feeding trays are NEVER EMPTY. Medicate only when necessary.

Vaccinations: Day 7 - B1 B1; Day 14 - B1 La Sota

Ranging, Day21 onwards, till slaughter: Segregate by net, compartments for ranging area around their pen. That way, you are able to rotate ranging areas. When you rotate, the manure fertilizes the land and you move to another ranging area so as not to deplete a small section. You may also want to use movable pens, so they have fresh grass everyday and litter will not be a problem.

Let them range freely in open air, eating grass, insects, table scraps, or what is abundant in your area. Feed adlibitum even when they are already on the range. Have feeds in feeders, so they will be able to eat at will. Give probiotics/vitamins everyday in drinking water (optional).

You may get the marketable weight at 49-63days. For best tasting chickens, slaughter at 85-90 days. RAISED FOR MEAT & EGG PRODUCTION, NOT FOR BREEDING

AGE (days) WEIGHT (grams) FCR

21

485

1.37

28

725

1.61

35

935

1.79

42

1192

1.94

49

1499

2.03

56

1767

2.19

63

1976

2.36

70

2167

2.5







Solraya’s Sunshine Chicken – Grass fed, free ranged, naturally grown, raised w/ a lot of sunshine and fresh air…for a healthy back to basics lifestyle. http://solraya.blogspot.com info@solraya.com (0917) 847-2639; Mla (02) 417-1800; Solano (078) 326-7860; Santiago City (078) 682-3758

92 comments:

  1. Asking,what type / kind of grass can we use in the field and what is the flock density on the free range.

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  2. Any soft grass on the field, they eat. If you have tall and mature grass, run a grass cutter, and leave about 1-2 inches tall. Soon, new growth will appear.

    You need 1 sq meter per Sunshine :)

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  3. do you have seminars in Cavite area or nearby? I'm about to start raising free range chickens in our 4000 sq m backyard.

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  4. You mentioned about "unmedicated" feeds. Do you recommend certain feeds for brooding chicks and the ranging ones?

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  5. @joseph, our seminar schedules are posted on the lefthand side of the blog :)

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  6. @joseph, we personally use FEEDPRO, because they have no antibiotics nor hormones. Day1-21, chick booster, day21 to harvest broiler starter. I will suggest adlibitum feeding even on the range. Give them the choice. They still want grass over feeds anyway :)

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  7. Do you have a recommended feeding program for the sunshine's in it's first 21 days?..

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  8. @ jonathan, chick booster adlibitum for the first 21days. Don't give antibiotics, have probiotics in their drinking water instead.

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  9. What I mean is the standard feeding quantity per day to be given to the sunshine's from 1st day to 21st day?..

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  10. @ Jonathan, each Sunshine will consume about 1/2 kilo of chick booster. Make sure they are fed adlibitum, meaning there are always feeds in their feeders. Give feeds in small quantities but often.

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  11. Hi! After brooding, when they reach 21 days can I feed them with finely chopped cover crops?

    Thanks!

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  12. Is it ok to feed the sunshines with pellets after reaching 21 days?..

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  13. Do you mean each sunshine will consume about 1/2kg of chick booster per day?..

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  14. Would appreciate if you can give me the info to my above questions..I already had my sunshine chicks and I need the info on this...Thanks..

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  15. @ Mang, Yes you may. I still suggest that they be given grains on the range.

    @ Jonathan, Yes please supplement them with feeds when on the range. They will have consumed 1/2k of chick booster from day1 til day21. Sorry for the delay. I think I was in areas where my Globe Visibility was hiding and not making me connect well.

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  16. What brand of probiotics should we use? ok lang ba vetracin?

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  17. @ Jojo, any probiotics. Biolyte might be easy to find in stores near you. Or you may make your own. Look for my post on 3C posted today :)

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  18. My sunshines are not reaching the weight as expected on their age as compared to the table above..What could have caused this from happening?..Is the table above the genetic capability of the sunshine chicken?..If yes, what could have caused such deviation in my sunshines?..

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  19. @ Jonathan, you have spoken with Doc Rey earlier over the phone. I hope the brooding, space requirements and the feeds have been dealt with?

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  20. Yup..Thank you so much solraya..I really learned alot...

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  21. When will the chickens start eating grass rather than chicken feeds? Our free range chickens are in their 45th day and I notice they still prefer eating feeds than grass.

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  22. @ jopi, at age 21days, when you open their cage, they like to stay outdoors. Do you have shades around? Is the grassy area too hot for them to stay and linger in? May be too hot. Have fresh water in the range.

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  23. san po pwede magpavaccine kng skali?

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  24. @ Ryan, go to the reputable poultry supply stores in your area. They will be able to guide you. Where are you based? You may ask the assistance of the staff of the Municipal Veterinarian in your locality, or the livestock inspectors.

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  25. sa quezon province ang based ko...ung plan ko trial lng muna sa 100 heads then kapag okay sya itutuloy k na...pra sa bakuran lang namin. pansarili or pambenta na din.. sgro by May pa naman....tawag ako sayo kapag nakauwi na ko.

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  26. @ Ryan, prepare mo muna brooder mo. Madali makakha ng sisiw, ang kailangan prepared ka sa pagdating :)

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  27. pinaayos ko na sa tatay ko...para pag-uwi order na agad ng sisiw...parang malilibang ako mag-alaga nito..hehehehe..i enjoy reading this blog tlgang useful.

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  28. @ Ryan, uuwi ka from where? I suggest read about natural farming. Try joining the yahoo group, natural farming philippines Sila jojie lim are developing a protocol for raising Sunshines the natural way.

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  29. middle east maam, sige visit ko na lang yan, mas malaki maitutulong nyan samin. thanks po ng marami.

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  30. @ Ryan, Malapit ka ba sa Tiaong? There is a good group there that can help you rin sa natural farming, Earthkeepers. Sa Candelaria naman, Raymond Rubia.

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  31. mga 2 to 3 hours travel from my place. may mga contact ba sila or e-mail? sa catanauan kasi ako maam, kng naririnig nyo..at sa pagkakaalam ko(di ako sure) hndi pa masydo kilala tong sunshine sa lugar namin.

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  32. @ Ryan, ok bago ka dumating, bigay ko sa iyo ang contact numbers nila. Si Raymond, may blog din sya, dailydosefarm.blogspot.com

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  33. ..what do u feed on sunshine chickens on the range?

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  34. @ biancaquest_06, as you may have read...they are left to forage on their own and supplemented with feeds.

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  35. Hi, im an OFW based here in Dubai, pauwi ako this June and i intend to raise Sunshine chickens in my farm house, can you give me information on the design of brooder house for its chicks?, also required pens for semi-free range growing, i intend to put up a small "kamalig" to house a 100 heads, will local materials such as pawid for roof and fenced all around by fish nets be suitable?

    Also can i grow layers out of chicks na mabibili from your dealers? how long will it take for them to start laying?... best regards - JUDE

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  36. @ JudeMelendrez, Go through the different photos under SUNSHINE PICS, and I suggest attend a seminar first before you venture into this :)

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  37. Hello sir! Kung successfull ko pong naconvert ang sunshine chicken sa talagang free range na parang native na kaya na nilang mabuhay nga mag-isa, pwede ko po ba silang ibreed for chick production? thanks.: from ASIN, TUBA BENGUET ORGANIC FARMER

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  38. @warlock, please read through the other posts...you will get your answers

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  39. GUDEVENING SIR! ILANG ARAW PO BA FROM THE DAY NG PAGKAPISA BAGO MAPURGA SILA? SALAMAT PO SIR

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  40. I COME TO REALIZE NA SA DEALER NALANG SANA AKO BUMILI NGA SUNSHINE CHICKS, GUSTO KO KASING ORIGINAL E, KUNG ALAM KO LANG SANANG MAY BINEBENTA SILA SA BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY DOON NALANG SANA AKO BUMILI PARA MAKITA KO TALAGANG ITSURA NILA PAGLAKI. PERO SIR ORIGINAL RIN BANG SUNSHINE CHICKS YUNG BINIBENTA SA BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY? PAREHO RIN PO BA PRESYO NA 38PESOS? THANKS

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  41. BALAK KO PO KASING BUMILI NG 100 MORE CHICKS

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  42. @Warlock, PHP38 is pick up in Fairview. They might be selling it a about PHP40-45. To make sure if you are getting real...when you are ready to order, email me so I can coordinate you and dealer.

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  43. OK SIR BASTA NABAKURAN KO NA ITONG BINABAKURAN KO DITO MAGEEMAIL AKO

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  44. GUDEVENING SIR! MATANONG KO LANG PO SANA KUNG ILANG ARAW PO BA FROM THE DAY NG PAGKAPISA BAGO PURGAHIN SILA? SALAMAT PO SIR

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  45. @warlock, sandali lang naman from day1 to harvest. Hindi na kami nag pupurga

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  46. hello goodevening sir! manga hangang ilang araw pong iniilawan ung mga sisiw from the day of hatch? salamat po ulit

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  47. @ Warlock, do a search on BROODING and BROOODERS from this blog. It will lead you to the various topics :)

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  48. Good evening! meron po ba kayong semenar this month here in cebu? Thanks

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  49. how can i buy a sunshine chick's..can u send me some details..jan_carl15@yahoo.com..thanks

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  50. @bobcent, this blog is updated and we post all our seminar schedules. Pls check back for new schedules :)

    @carl, please check our dealer list for the source nearest you. We may send to you directly too. Details are posted

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  51. Hi, i'm carol of masbate, we are about to receive tomorrow 100 sunshine chicks. ask q lang po kung ano po ung dose ng probiotic application at ano po ang best brand para sa sunshine chicks? if wala pong available na probiotic d2 samin ok lang po ba ang vetracin?

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  52. @ ED Aquafarm, I just got your number from JC :) I suggest make your own fermented tonics (probiotics). Search this site for 3C, you can use that too. I suggest that you don't use antibiotics, just get pure vitamins if you can't find any probiotics, while you are making your own.

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  53. Hello! I think I've read almost all your blogs, but one thing I want to know about these chickens adaptability with our climate. Considering they are free ranged chickens, are they not suseptible to death during rainy seasons, particularly when there is thypoon and the wind blows? Or do we need to keep them in closed place? For layers do we need to build pens for them? Or still they will do it as free ranged chickens?

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  54. @~Noel, Is that so? :) Thank you for giving me a topic to write later. I will be on the road, but hopefully the ride allows me to blog on the way.

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  55. @~Noel, I found this post http://solraya.blogspot.com/2009/05/down-feathers.html

    I have pretty covered topics. I suggest use the search window of this blog. I typed FEATHERS and that post came up :)

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  56. ask lng po ako kng anu po ba ang difference nung kabir at sunshine chickens?? at anu yung difference nung SASSO at sunshine chickens?? Thank you, hoping for your answers.

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  57. @ hughal, If you take time to read through the blog, you will encounter those answers :)

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  58. gud day...im planning to raise 100 sunshine chicken. mgkano sir ang pick up price sa solraya santiago city isabela..s fairview sna aq bibili kasi andito ako manila kaso bka mamatay s byahe papunta isabela.

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  59. mam ask lng po ako kng ilan ba ang mortality rate nung mga chickens ksi sa 20 kong binili namatayan na ako nang 1. mga 7 days old palng cla sa ngayun.

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  60. @ Fermz, same price Manila and Santiago, since it is or home base :)

    @ hughal, with proper brooding, percentage of liveability is very good.

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    1. hi soraya saan po exact location niyo sa santiago kc dati sa panganiban ko siya nakikita.. gsto ko sana bumili ng 500 chicks tnx

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  61. magkano po ba ang sunshine na for breeding,balak ko kasing magnegosyo ng litson manok,mahirap po kasi ang transportasyon sa amin,kaya ako nalang po ang mag breed,para magkaroon ako nga sariling suplay,

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  62. saan po ba ako makakabili ng likasaka na aklat,para magkaroon ng guide sa natural farming,

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  63. @ rodney, As of the moment, hindi kami nagbebenta ng breeders...maybe soon :)

    And Likasaka at mabibili mula sa Earthkeepers. You may text them at (0917) 560-1886

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  64. Hi solraya, today is the 27th day of my sunshines. on the average, they now weigh 700g and i already consumed 135kg of feeds. FCR is at 1.9kg..on the 22nd day, the sunshines weighed 550g on ave. Fcr was at 1.78.

    medyo bumagal growth nila from day 22 to 28..i was expecting them to weigh atleast 850g. fcr wise, medyo mababa ang sa akin as compared to what is posted above..i guess climate must have influenced the growth..brownout pa plus mainit tlga but zero mortality naman..

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  65. Hi solraya, would like to ask for the acceptable or normal mortality rate for sunshines. so far my mortality is at 3.4% which ranges from 1 - 5 days. on the 6th day, everyone was alive and kicking already.

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  66. @ von, Where are you located? I hope you can send me photos of the brooding and ranging areas. Are they free ranging now? Talagang babagal ang growth rate once on the range...but then, we really want a slow developing chicken for the taste :) Pag mainit, wala talagang gana kumain ang mga manok. So you need shaded areas, that is where you set their waterers and feeders. Parang tao, you don't want to eat under the heat of the sun :( As for the feeds, because mahina kumain, baka madami kang spillage...nilalaro lang nila. Try this: basain mo ng kaunti ang feeds nila na binibigay mo during the day. Same with the afternoon feeds, wet it a little.

    If you had mortality during the 1st 5days, baka kulang ka sa source of heat during those days so nagtutulakan sila at nadaganan ang iba. By the 6th day, you must have figured that out kaya ok na sila.

    I hope you continue to read through this blog for never ending pointers.

    If you are near a seminar area, I hope you can join. Salamat

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  67. I would like to ask if you hold seminars in raising sunshine chicken here in General Santos City. if you do, where and when?. and where i can get 24 day old chicks in gensan also .thank

    Brian B.

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    1. seminar schedules are posted here and at spreadorganicagriculture.blogspot.com

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  68. hi solraya, ask ko lang po kung applicable din ba itong natural farming ng sunshine sa turkey "pabo" meron din kc kaming mga alagang pabo na kahalo sa native chicken..tia

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  69. @joseph,washington...hi im here in u.s. and im interested in having a laying farm in pangasinan.what kind of chicks do i need to buy?i want to start with 200 heads and if its profitable i will expand.pareho lng ba yung sisiw na pang 49 days at sa mga layers?

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  70. which bread is better SASSO OR RIR for dual farming

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  71. Good day!. Sir meron po ba kayong medicated and probiotic feeds dito sa iloilo? Kasi nagtanong ako sa agrivet wala daw silang ganun.

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  72. Ano po utilities and disposal na ginagawa niyo sa organic chicken?

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  73. Hello po. Maaari po bang ihatch ang itlog ng sasso gamit ang incubator? Gusto ko po sanang paramihin ang sasso namin dito sa farm.. sabi kasi ng iba ay wala daw pong good mothering ability ang sasso. puwede po ba silang mapadami gamit ang method na ito? Maraming salamat po. :)

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  74. San mkakabili ng layering chicks dito sa nueva vizcaya near to solano..salamat

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  75. San mkakabili ng layering chicks dito sa nueva vizcaya near to solano..salamat

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  76. San mkakabili ng layering chicks dito sa nueva vizcaya near to solano..salamat

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  77. maam maarari pong mag tanong about azolla

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  78. maam maarari pong mag tanong about azolla

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  79. maam pwd po bang mag tanong about azolla

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  80. maam pwd po bang mag tanong about azolla

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  81. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  82. hi ma'am/ sir saan pwde bumili ng chicks d2 sa isabela 500 chicks kukunin ko tnx

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  83. hi ma'am/ sir saan pwde bumili ng chicks d2 sa isabela 500 chicks kukunin ko tnx

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  84. Hello mam sir, san po pwede makabili ng sisiw dito sa Quezon province.. Gusto ko bumili umpisa 200 po

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  85. Hello mam sir, san po pwede makabili ng sisiw dito sa Quezon province.. Gusto ko bumili umpisa 200 po

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  86. NAG FERMENT AKO NG MGA FERNMENTATION TECHNOLOGY NYO FOR MY BACKYARD PLANTS AT OKEY, YONG MGA GULAY KO AT NAG TANAW AKO SA VEDEO NYO SA PAG-AALAGA NG CHICKEN NA HINDI GINAGAMITAN NG FEEDS KAYA I PLAN TO INVEST TO CHICKEN FARMING SAKALING MAGRITIRE AKO SA AKING TRABAHO I HAVE INVESTED MY INCOME IN ACQUIRING AN HECTARE OF LOTS OF COCO RUBBBER AND FALCATA. IN RETIRING I WANT TO INVEST IN CHIKEN FOR LAYERS AND BROILERS AT SAAN PO BA AKO MAKAKUHA NG CHIKS NYO AT MAGKAANO MAM SA MINDANAO PO KAMI SA REMOTE AREA KAMI MANGAGOY, BISLIG PO KAMI

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  87. what is the suitable weather Celsius for pasture broilers ?can i raise these chickens all the 365 days what is resistible weather Celsius here it is 19 Celsius in the night and it will be 32 by noon i just want to know the climate conditions to raise these on out doors? im from India

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  88. good day po....
    nagpapasalamat po ako na may mapagtanungan po ako sakali may problemsa sa aking small sunshine raising.
    napikot po ang mata ng aking sunshine chicks kahit may sipon akong nakita o wala....ano po aking gagawin.nag 21days siya mula pagkapisa at nabili ko ito ng 30 days mula pagkapisa at at 40 days pa po sa amin.ngunit ang timbang niya ay nasa 3 to 4grams palang
    salamat...

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